There exist several brain training products that claim that they are capable of keeping us fit mentally. A number of the products even assert human beings can prevent dementia in old age by engaging in brain training. However, there is scientific no evidence that games or brain exercises do really have this effect. That is exactly what the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has found out.
Brain training can in fact lead to an enhancement, but solely in the particular ability it is targeted at
With time, as human beings age, our pace of thinking tend to get slower and as a result it becomes harder for us to continuously learn new things. In spite of this many people attempt to stay mentally healthy by, for instance, doing crossword puzzles or learning a novel language. Computer games that have objective to keep the brain active are also becoming more and more popular.
The Institute’s Director, Professor Peter Sawick explains that by engaging in exercises like trying to find symbols on a monitor as quickly as possible can in fact enhance a person’s reaction time. However, scientific studies have demonstrated that by training the brain merely leads to an improvement in the particular ability that it is targeted at. Therefore, if a person is able to spot out symbols rather quickly, it does not imply that the person will be capable of remembering names better too.
It is not necessary that people push themselves to engage in brain training if they do not really take pleasure in it
Up to now research has not been able to show that brain training can in fact keep up or boost people’s mental abilities in general. In accordance to Sawicki, there is therefore no need to feel awful if one does not enjoy brain training; there are no apparent health reasons for engaging in it. However, if you are among those people who think that brain training exercises are fun you can attempt different kinds of such games. For instance, trying to complete sequences of letters can enhance one’s logic skills. Moreover, by practising word association techniques, one can remember things better.
Source: ScienceDaily
Tue, Jul 27, 2010
Health And Aging